GSK announce new investments

GlaxoSmithkline (GSK), one of the world’s leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies, has announced a series of new investments in sub-Saharan Africa designed to address pressing health needs and contribute to long-term business growth.

According to a statement issued on Monday, GSK CEO Sir Andrew Witty told the fifth EU-Africa Business Forum in Brussels, Belgium, that the company intends to partner African governments to stimulate research into chronic diseases, increase capacity by localising medicines supply and strengthen healthcare infrastructure.

Reads the statement in part: “This will see GSK make targeted investments of up to £130 million in Africa over the next five years, creating at least 500 jobs and contributing to the development of home-grown capabilities and skills in Africa.

“This builds on GSK’s existing business base in sub-Saharan Africa, which currently employs around 1 500 people in over 40 countries, including three existing local manufacturing sites in Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa.”

Witty said GSK is setting out further steps to tackle Africa’s dual health burden of infectious and emerging non-communicable diseases and help build crucial capacity to underpin the development of the healthcare sector in the region.

“We have a unique opportunity to deliver meaningful social and economic value to all of the communities we work in using our scientific expertise and our global reach to develop innovative medicines and deliver them to people who need them around the world.

“With global attention focused on how we support development beyond 2015, now is the moment for business to play a more active role in contributing to a more prosperous future in Africa, investing in infrastructure, building skills and capability to unlock human potential and create jobs. Our long-term goal is to equip Africa to discover, develop and produce the medicines required for Africa,” he said.